Senior Data Scientist

ZestFinance is a technology startup that uses machine learning and large-scale data analysis to transform credit availability for millions of Americans. Over the past 5 years, ZestFinance has built a big data underwriting technology that more accurately predicts likelihood of repayment. ZestFinance uses this technology to make loans to customer that banks typically overlook. ZestFinance also licenses its technology to other companies, including JD.com in China.

As a Data Scientist, you will use your math wizardry to develop radically new methods for data access, manipulation, and modeling that will enable us to provide fair, transparent credit alternatives to underbanked Americans. Successful candidates will be crazy smart, creative thinkers who are capable of devising innovative solutions to old financial problems. They will interface directly between our engineering and modeling teams to validate our current models and develop tools to make the core modeling team more efficient. As our name implies, we work with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy along with a social conscience and passion for leveraging data and technology to transform financial services as we know it.

* Design and implement statistical tools for developing and validating new models * Validate models for roll-out and analyze the performance of existing models * Assess the usefulness of new data sources, transformations, and techniques * Support other team members with their modeling and analysis projects * Work with the Product Management, Marketing, and Business teams to develop models to support specific business needs * Feel good about coming to work and enjoy not only the time you spend at the office, but the people you’re spending it with as well

* Bachelor’s degree in Math, Computer Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, or related discipline; Advanced degrees preferred * Extensive use of R Matlab, or Python, and Linux * Understanding of statistical analysis, algorithm development, and advanced machine learning techniques * Commitment to creating reproducible, well-documented code * An independent and self-motivated work ethic * A proven, demonstrable track record of success